The Orlando Magic selected Paolo Banchero with the first overall pick in the 2022 NBA Draft.
Banchero is all set to win the Rookie of the Year by a landslide. He could have become a unanimous receiver of the award, but Andy Larsen of the Salt Lake Tribune ruined that by voting for Walker Kessler over Banchero. Larsen was blasted by fans for his vote, and it led to the Utah Jazz beat writer providing an explanation on Twitter.
“Basically… the advanced stats all favor Kessler, and I’ve always been an analytically-oriented voter. I think I would have made this vote even if I covered another team. Here’s where the rookies rank in EPM, and here’s what I wrote in explaining my vote.”
Basically… the advanced stats all favor Kessler, and I've always been an analytically-oriented voter. I think I would have made this vote even if I covered another team.
Here's where the rookies rank in EPM, and here's what I wrote in explaining my vote. pic.twitter.com/bmYd0RQEwI
— Andy Larsen (@andyblarsen) April 14, 2023
Larsen voted for Kessler because the Jazz rookie edged others in Estimated Plus Minus (EPM). If that’s indeed the case behind Larsen casting his vote for Kessler, it may get accepted by fans.
As of now, most believe he voted for Kessler because he covers the Utah Jazz for the Salt Lake Tribune and made a biased decision.
Paolo Banchero Had A Great Rookie Season
The 2022 NBA Draft class didn’t have a huge consensus number one overall pick. Despite some doubts about his shooting consistency, the Orlando Magic showed trust in Paolo Banchero.
Banchero paid off that trust by averaging 20.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG, and 3.7 APG as a rookie. For the season, he shot 42.7% from the field and an underwhelming 29.8% from the three-point line.
Banchero’s poor shooting percentage from beyond the arc is the result of his abysmal 3% shooting from deep in February 2023. Apart from that, he has done a satisfying job for a rookie.
The Magic will likely build around Paolo Banchero for years, and the 20-year-old is only bound to get better as he spends more time in the NBA.
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